Microsoft has announced that Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting April 15, while the recently released GTA 5 Enhanced version will be added to PC Game Pass. This brings the popular open-world game to a new audience, offering technical enhancements and previously PS5 and Xbox Series S/X-exclusive content for the PC platform. The enhanced version of the game, which launched on March 4, includes significant upgrades to both the graphical and gameplay experience, making it a compelling addition to Microsoft’s subscription service.
GTA 5 on Xbox Game Pass
As part of the subscription offerings, Game Pass Ultimate, Standard, and PC subscribers will have access to the full version of Grand Theft Auto V at no additional cost. The Xbox Game Pass edition will feature all the familiar content from the original release, but subscribers will soon be able to dive into the latest technical and gameplay improvements found in the Enhanced version on PC.
Enhanced Version on PC Game Pass
The Enhanced version of GTA 5 on PC brings console-specific enhancements along with new features in GTA Online, which were previously only available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. These include access to new vehicles, modifications, and upgrades at Hao’s Special Works, as well as Chameleon Paints. On top of the new content, the enhanced edition brings substantial graphical improvements, such as ray tracing features including ambient occlusion and global illumination, as well as support for cutting-edge AI upscaling techniques like AMD FSR1 and FSR3 and Nvidia DLSS 3, which improve performance and visual fidelity.
This version marks a significant step for GTA 5 on PC, as it now benefits from console-level enhancements, ensuring a higher level of visual quality and smoother gameplay. For those who already own the game, the enhanced features will offer a noticeable difference in their experience, making it a great time to revisit Los Santos and its surrounding areas.
New Updates for GTA Online
One of the most exciting aspects of the new update is the inclusion of the latest GTA Online update titled Oscar Guzman Flies Again. This update allows players to take control of the McKenzie Field Hanger in Grapeseed, where they can engage in new arms trafficking missions, fly new aircraft, and participate in a variety of exciting activities in the sky. This new addition expands GTA Online’s already extensive content, ensuring players continue to find new ways to enjoy the online world of Grand Theft Auto V.
Compatibility and Cross-Play Across Editions
For those playing GTA Online, Microsoft clarified that players will need to be on the same edition of the game to squad up with friends. Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Standard members will have access to both the console and PC editions of GTA 5, allowing them to download and play the version their friends are using, regardless of the platform. PC Game Pass subscribers, for example, can choose between the standard and enhanced editions of the game, even if their friends are accessing the game through other platforms like Steam or the Epic Games Store. This flexibility ensures that the cross-platform experience remains seamless for Game Pass members, enabling them to enjoy GTA 5 and GTA Online with friends no matter the platform.
Game Pass April Lineup
In addition to GTA 5, Microsoft also unveiled the first wave of games joining Xbox Game Pass in April. As of April 3, Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition became available for Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard on console, PC, and cloud platforms. Also added to Game Pass on April 3 were All You Need is Help, a multiplayer co-op puzzle game, Still Wakes the Deep, a horror title, and Wargroove 2, a turn-based strategy game. These titles offer a diverse array of genres for Game Pass members to explore.
Further enriching the Game Pass lineup, South of Midnight, an action-adventure game developed by Compulsion Games, will be available on April 8 for Xbox Series S/X consoles, PC, and cloud platforms. On the same day, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition will join the service for both PC and consoles. Additionally, new day-one titles Commandos: Origins and Blue Prince will be available on April 9 and 10, respectively. As the month progresses, the service will add Hunt Showdown 1896 for PC on April 15, with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) and console versions coming soon.